LETTER: Do the right thing and launch fair elections

I have always thought that I lived in a democratic system. However, I see that democracy is a relative term: it can be for strong and robust, or weak and less democratic. Although Citizens United has weakened democracy at a national level, we can strengthen it New York.

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In the 2012 election cycle, more than $100 million was raised by state-level candidates. With most of that money coming from a small set of interests, how is it possible for elected officials to be responsive to the needs of all voters?

New York needs to implement public financing of elections with lower contribution limits and non-partisan oversight. I hope our elected officials, already beholden to a small number of donors, can do the right thing and enact such legislation.